Chic 'N Savvy

8 apps I use before buying anything online

Online shopping makes it incredibly easy to spend more than you planned. A few extra clicks can quickly add up, especially if you’re not checking for discounts, price drops, or better offers elsewhere. Thankfully, there are apps that help take the guesswork out of saving money by finding coupons, comparing prices, and tracking deals automatically. They require very little effort but can make a noticeable difference over time. If you shop online regularly, these are the tools worth using before you complete your purchase.

RetailMeNot

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RetailMeNot collects promo codes, cash-back offers, and sales in one place. You can search for a store before shopping to see if there’s anything active.

While not every code always works, it’s a good first stop to see what’s available. Between the cash-back options and coupon finds, it’s worth checking before you buy.

Rakuten

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Rakuten is a cash-back app that gives you a percentage back when you shop through its links. All you do is click through Rakuten before shopping at your favorite store, and the cash shows up in your account.

The payouts are quarterly, so it’s not instant, but it feels good to see real money come back from purchases you were already planning to make. It works on everything from clothes to travel bookings.

Honey

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Honey automatically searches for coupon codes when you’re at checkout. You don’t have to waste time Googling codes that don’t work. The extension tries all the available ones and applies the best savings for you.

It also has a rewards system called Honey Gold that lets you earn points toward gift cards. Even if it only saves a few dollars here and there, those little wins add up over time.

CamelCamelCamel

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If you buy on Amazon often, CamelCamelCamel is a lifesaver. It tracks the price history of products so you can see if you’re buying at a peak or if the price usually drops.

You can set alerts for items, and the app will let you know when the price falls to your target range. It keeps you from rushing into a purchase you could get cheaper with a little patience.

ShopSavvy

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ShopSavvy is a barcode scanner app that shows you the best price online and in local stores. If you’re shopping in person, you can scan the product to see if ordering online makes more sense.

It’s a quick way to confirm whether you’re getting a good deal before checking out. I’ve used it to save money on everything from electronics to household basics.

Ibotta

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Ibotta focuses on grocery and household savings, but it’s grown to include plenty of online retailers too. You activate offers in the app, then shop through the links or upload your receipt afterward.

The savings can be small individually, but stacking them with sales or coupons helps you save more. It’s one of those apps that rewards consistency—you see the difference over time.

Keepa

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Keepa is another Amazon-focused tool that tracks price drops and product history. It works like CamelCamelCamel but also adds alerts for lightning deals and daily discounts.

The browser extension makes it easy—you see a price history chart right on the Amazon page. That extra context helps you decide whether now’s the right time to buy or if it’s smarter to wait.

Capital One Shopping

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Capital One Shopping checks prices across different retailers to make sure you’re not overpaying. It also looks for coupon codes and lets you know if a better deal is out there.

One of its best features is the price comparison tool—you can see if Amazon is truly the lowest price or if another site has it cheaper. It’s an easy way to avoid getting tricked into overpaying.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.

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